Wake up, it’s the new Nissan Maxima
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Most people can be forgiven for thinking that Nissan stopped making the Maxima about five years ago. What with the 350Z at the sporty end of the spectrum and the Quest minivan at the other, Nissan’s big (and less than thrilling) sedan has been lost in the shuffle somewhat. But the Maxima is indeed extant and about to sing a slightly louder, more urgent song.
The 2009 Nissan Maxima is an all-new car, the seventh generation to bear the name. Its exterior and interior styling has marked similarities with high-end cousins from the Infiniti brand, and the 3.5-liter V-6 engine that powers the front wheels (to the tune of a robust 290 horsepower in this instance) is a well-known -- and well-loved -- feature lurking behind both badges.
In normal use, this engine -- and the whole car, for that matter -- is quiet to the point of Trappist, but Nissan has engineered in a little extra induction and exhaust snort that stirs the blood a touch when the gas pedal gets a workout. Coupled to a CVT (continuously variable transmission), which is the only gearbox available, the new Maxima manages to improve highway fuel consumption by 1 mpg yet with 35 hp more.
The aforementioned CVT might have elicited a groan from those familiar with earlier versions. This one works really well: much quicker, quieter and smarter. It doesn’t seem out of place in either the Premium trim model (with a dual-panel moonroof and high-quality leather) or the stiffer, eager Sport version.
The new Maxima goes on sale from June 26 and, although prices haven’t been announced yet, expect to pay somewhere around $30,000. Some time next year will see the introduction of a 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged diesel-powered version. Even though diesel costs more than gas at the moment, anyone who does a lot of highway miles might be inclined to do the math and find this to be a worthwhile purchase.
Incidentally, check out those headlights -- there could very similar units on the upcoming 350Z replacement, the 370Z, that debuts at this year’s Los Angeles auto show in the fall.